Anti-suck-back device for tubes



April 1969 G. SCHWARTZMAN 3,438,554

ANTI-SUCK-BACK DEVICE FOR TUBES Filed Sept. 20, 196'? iiHHHiiiliiiillllillIIIIIHIH HI III INVENTOR izaa/gr Jaw/4 22444 United States Patent M 3,438,554 ANTI-SUCK-BACK DEVICE FOR TUBES Gilbert Schwartzman, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to Dab-O-Matic Corp.

Filed Sept. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 669,158 Int. Cl. 365d 25/44, 35/38 U.S. Cl. 222-496 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an applicator construction and more particularly to an anti-suck-back device for toothpaste tubes and like squeeze containers for facilitating the metering and/ or applying of fluids, pastes, jellies, and the like such as toothpaste, cosmetics, medications, pigments, and the like.

Squeezeable and collapsible toothpaste tubes made of plastic or other materials have been devised. In collapsible tubes such as made from metal, upon release of the tube there is generally little suck back of the contents being dispensed. However, plastic tubes and squeeze bottles generally seek to retain, at least in part, their original shape and when they expand after the contents have been squeezed therefrom, there is a suck back action from the suction induced on the material being dispensed. This material may become somewhat contaminated once it has passed outwardly of the mouth of the container and there fore the suck-back of the contents may be deleterious or otherwise undesirable. Further, when the matter is sucked back, air and other contaminants enter the container often rendering the contents of the container less desirable.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of an anti-suck-back device for controlling fluid flow and for preventing suck-back of material which has already passed beyond the valve assembly of the squeeze bottle device and for preventing air and/or other contaminants from being sucked back into the container.

The construction of this invention features the use of a valve assembly which is normally urged by helical springs under stress into a closed position so that only upon application of the pressure due to squeezing of the tube or other container can material flow in either direction with the squeezing of the container being the only practical means for opening the valve assembly.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of an anti-suck-back device for squeezeable containers for use in applying or metering fluids pastes, or jellies, that is simple in construction, capable of being used on various types of containers, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, thereby permitting wide use and distribution.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of this invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this anti-suck-back device for tubes, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view through a container showing the antisuck-back device utilized in this applicator construction in a normally closed position;

' 3,438,554 Patented Apr. 15, 1969 PIIG. 2 is a view showing the invention in a valve open position after squeezing of the container;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the manner in which the valve head is constructed; and,

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention. With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate a tube preferably molded from plastic material or the like and having, after insertion of the antisuck back device generally indicated by 12, its lower end suitably crimped at 14 or otherwise sealed. The container 10 is filled with any suitable material 16 such as toothpaste or various types of liquids or jellies or the like.

The container 10 includes a truncated conical shoulder portion 18 terminating in a neck 20 which is preferably externally threaded at 22 for receiving a cap thereon. The neck 20 has an opening 24 therethrough having an enlargement 26 forming a shoulder 28.

The anti-suck-back device 12 includes a valve member 30 having a substantially conical valve head 32, a valve stem or rod 34, a ring 36, and helical springs 38, all integrally molded with each other.

The valve rod 34 has a bore 40 opening into the lower end 42 of the valve rod which is provided with a flange or enlargement 44 from which the helical spring members 38 rise. The bore 40 has various purposes one of which is to receive an anvil pin 46 so that in the manner disclosed in the co-pending application, Ser. No. 633,889, filed Apr. 26, 1967, for Stamping Device, a tool 48 provided with a conical head 50 can be used to outwardly flare into a substantially conical shape the valve head 32 from the end portion 52 of the rod 34, as can be best seen in FIG. 3. The tool 48 is preferably heated and when applied in conjunction with the pin 46 achieves for the valve head its final shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bore 40 also serves to provide for additional resiliency for the entire construction of the anti-suck-back device when assembled as well as reducing the amount of material necessary and the weight of the device. The anti-suckback device 12 is inserted in the container 10 with the ring engaging the inner surface of the shoulder 18. The valve head 32 may be outwardly flared prior to insertion in the tube and when such an arrangement is used, the valve head is forced through the opening 24 utilizing a suitable tool. This is possible because of the resilient construction of the valve head 32. Alternatively, the valve head 32 may be outwardly flared after insertion of the device in the tube.

It is noted that the springs 38 are constantly under compression thereby continuously urging the valve head against the inner peripheral edge of the shoulder 28.

In use, the tube 10 is closed by the anti-suck-back device. Squeezing on the walls of the tube 10 will cause fluid to pass through the relatively large opening 66 of the ring 36 and thence past the valve head 32 which it will lift against the compressive forces on the springs 38. Release of the tube will permit the helical springs 38 to force the valve head 32 back to i s closed position.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a modified form of the invention in which a squeeze container made from poly ethylene or the like pastic material is provided with a neck 112 having external threads 114 thereon for receiving a cap has a retaining ring 116 disposed therein. The retaining ring 116 is of generally cylindrical shape having a projecting portion 118 extending into the neck 112 and having a web 124 provided with a tapered opening therein forming valve seat 124a, which opening is larger at the top than at its bottom. Integrally for-med with the web 124 is an outer flange 126 as well as an inner flange 128. The outer flange is swaged over a fabric covered fluid-absorbent pad 130, which achieves a substantially dome-like configuration.

The applicator further includes a valve assembly 148 which includes a valve head 150 so arranged that the peripheral edge 151 thereof Will engage the valve seat 124a to form a fluid tight seal. The valve head 159 is integrally formed with a plate 153 which is integrally connected with a ring 152 by means of three resilient flexible helical springs 154 integrally molded as part of the valve assembly 148. The springs 154 are continuously under tension thus urging the valve head 150 into engagement with the valve seat 124a. The ring sits in a shoulder 156 formed in the lower end of the projection portion 118.

In use, squeezingthe container 110 will cause fluid pressure on the plate 153 initiating the opening of the valve head and permitting fluid flow onto the pad 13%} and out there beyond during application. Release will permit the spring 154 under tension to urge the valve head 150 back into its closed position.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising a squeeze container provided with a neck having an opening for permitting fluid flow therethrough and defining a valve seat, a valve member disposed in said neck and having an outwardly flared resilient valve head engaging said valve seat for closing said opening, a ring of larger diameter than said opening, means in said container engageable by said ring for holding said ring in a predetermined position spaced from said valve seat, and spring means integrally interconnecting said valve head and said ring for continuously urging said valve head into resilient engagement with said valve seat, said valve member further including an elongated rod extending through and below said ring and having an end remote from said valve head, said spring means including a plurality of spaced helical spring members under compression integrally interconnected to said ring and said end or" said rod below said ring.

2. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said rod has a central bore therein opening into said end, said bore terminating below said valve head.

3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said valve head is substantially conical in shape.

4. An applicator according to claim 3, wherein said valve head is of a greater diameter than said opening.

5. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein said valve member includes plate means spaced from said web so that upon application of pressure on said squeeze container fluid pressure on said plate means will open said valve member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,134,514 5/1964 Booth 222494 3,169,267 2/1965 Luedtke 222-518 3,249,268 5/1966 Neuner 222494 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,092,480 4/1955 France.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

H. S. LANE, Assistant Examiner. 

